Wedge-type tie end latches and track assemblies for use therewith



April 25, I967 WEDGE-TYPE TIE E FOR USE THEREWITH 2 Sheets-$heet 1 FiledJan. 21, 1963 llJ 3 I //.M. I M (M T K Fla. 4.

INVENTIOR. HARRIS G. GATES flTTORNEYS April 25, 1967 H. G. GATES3,315,938

WEDGETYPE TIE END LATCHES AND TRACK ASSEMBLIES Filed Jan. 2]. 1963 FORUSE THEREWITH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 &50a

INVENT'OR.

HARRIS G. GATES United States Patent 3,315,938 WEDGE-TYPE TIE ENDLATCHES AND TRACK ASSEMBLIES FOR USE THEREWITH Harris G. Gates,Englewood, Col0., assignor to Gates 8: Sons, Inc., Denver, (1010., acorporation of Colorado Filed Jan. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 252,996 Claims.(Cl. 249-46) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication United States Serial No. 215,561, filed August 8, 1962, nowPatent No. 3,141,224, issued July 21, 1964.

This invention relates to concrete forming systems and, moreparticularly, to tie end latch elements and tracks therefor thatconstitute reinforcing members.

In my co-pending application, I disclose a concrete forming system thatutilizes a pair of channel-shaped reinforcing elements arranged inback-to-back relation as tracks upon which pivotal latch elements slideinto position to engage the end of either a loop-ended or button typeconcrete form tie for the purpose of maintaining a pair of form walls infixed spaced relation while concrete is poured therebetween. Theinvention which forms the subject matter of this application is similarto my copending application aforementioned in that it uses the samedouble channel tracks in two embodiments while in a third the channelsare reversed so that they open toward rather than away from one another.The primary difference lies in the construction of the latch elementswhich do not pivot as before, but rather, operate on a fixed wedgeprinciple to releasably engage the ends of either a loop-ended orbutton-type form tie. The latch elements herein disclosed each comprisea unitary structure having no moving parts that rely on an inclinedplane to draw the form wall panel up snugly against the stop on the tie.

Functionally, the two systems accomplish the same end result with equalfacility. The advantage of the present system over that which forms thesubject matter of my earlier application, if any, is the fact that theone-piece latch elements herein disclosed are somewhat cheaper andrequire no assembly. As for disadvantages, the former system wasoperable by hand whereas this one generally requires that a hammer beused to drive the latch element into fully-locked position. These, ofcourse, are relatively minor utilitarian differences and the choicebetween the two systems boils down largely to a matter of personalpreference.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention toprovide a novel and improved tie end latch and form wall reinforcingelement that constitutes a track for the aforesaid latch elements.

A second object is the provision of tie end latch elements suitable foruse with either the loop-ended or button-tipped ties.

Another objective of the invention herein claimed is the provision oftrack-mounted tie end latches that remain permanently mounted on theirrespective reinforcing elements thus producing a unitary assembly.

Still another object is to provide means for drawing the form walls upsnugly against the stops on the form tie that have no moving parts yetare slidably afiixed to reinforcing rails for movement into. connectingposition.

An additional objective of the invention is to provide tie end latchesthat, with minor modification, can be adapted to fasten onto a tielocated on either side thereof.

Further objects are the provision of a tie lock and reinforcing elementassembly that is simple to use, relatively inexpensive, extremelyrugged, compact, versatile, capable of being used with several styles ofform ties, one that is operable with the simplest of hand tools, and aunit that is 3,3 5,938 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 adaptable for use on awide variety of concrete forming applications.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed outspecifically hereinafter in connection with the description of thedrawings that follows, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view, portions of which have been broken away andshown in section revealing a double-ended wedge-type latch elementspecifically adapted for use with button-tipped form ties mounted on atrack formed of web-to-web channels;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the FIGURE 1 tie end latch showing thetrack in dotted lines;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation of the FIGURE 1 tie end latch;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation of the FIGURE 1 tie end latch;

FIGURE 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view similar to FIGURE 1 with portions shown insection that reveals a modified form of the tie end latch specificallydesigned for use with loop-ended form ties and also showing; a modifiedform of reinforcing element in which the channels are rearranged inflange-to-flange relation;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevation of the tie end latch for loop-ended tiesshown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a section taken along line 8-8 of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 9 is an end elevation similar to FIGURE 4 showing a furthermodification of the tie latch for loopended form ties adapted for usewith the Web-tO-Web channel of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 10 is still another modification of the tie latch for loop-endedform ties similar to the FIGURE 6 modification except that it is of thesingle-ended type; and, FIGURE 11 is a section taken along line 11-11 ofFIGURE 10.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of the presentinvention and, initially, to FIGURES l'5 for this purpose, referencenumeral 10 identifies one panel of a pair of concrete form wallsmaintained in fixed spaced relation by a plurality of form ties 12 thatpass through tie slots 14 into the exterior surface of the forms. Theparticular tie 12 shown in FIGURE 1 is of the buttontipped varietyterminating at both extermities in a flattened head 16. The aperture inthe form panel is round to pass the head. Spaced inwardly of the head isa swaged enlargement 18 against which a Washer-type stop 2% rests tomaintain a minimum fixed spaced relation between the form walls. Theabove-described elements are old and well known to the art of concretewall-forming and constitute no part of the present invention whichrelates to apparatus that is detachably connected to the end of the tiefor the purpose of forcing the form wall against the tie stop andresisting the hydrostatic forces of the Wet concrete tending to spreadthe form walls apart.

Ordinarily, the form ties are arranged in a series of horizontal rows atvarying heights above the footing upon which the form walls rest. Thereinforcing element of the present invention which has been identifiedin a general way by reference numeral 22 also forms a track upon whichthe tie end latch elements slide, the latter having been broadlydesignated by reference numeral 24. The track shown in FIGURES l-5 isidentical to that of my earlier co-pending application and comprises apair of channels 26 arranged with their web portions 28 in fixed spacedparallel relation while their flange 30 faces outwardly in oppositedirections as best revealed in dotted line in FIGURE 5. The fixed spacedrelation between the channels is maintained, as before, by spacers andrivets (not shown) that are located at intervals throughout the lengthof the reinforcing member. One pair of flanges 3% fit flush against theexterior surface of the form wall It) while the other pair 3015 form therails upon Which the tie end latch elements 24 slide. The slot 32between the channels is aligned with the apertures 14 in the form panelsand is sized to pass or receive the projecting tie end.

The tie end latch 24 comprises an elongate block of metal cast toprovide on the rear or inner face thereof a pair of flange-engaging ribs34, an upturned one 3411 along the lower edge and a downturned one 34dalong the upper edge, adapted to cooperate with one another in holdingsaid latch element mounted on the rail-forming flanges 30b of the trackfor lengthwise sliding movement. In addition, in the particularembodiment shown in FIGURES l5, the rear face of the block is alsoprovided with a centrally-located projection 36 positioned and adaptedto ride in the slot 32 of the track. This embodiment of the tie latchcan, of course, be slipped on either end of the track. The latter is,however, preferably formed to provide some type of stop (not shown)which will prevent the latch element from becoming disengaged therefromand lost.

Both ends of the latch element are slotted as at 38 intermediate theside edges and these slots terminate just short of the centralprojection 36. Each slot registers with the slot 32 in the track andalso the apertures 14 in the form wall so as to receive the projectingend portion of the tie. These slots 38 also open onto the exposed faceof the latch element, more specifically, onto the inclined faces 40thereof up which the head 16 or button of the tie rides into lockedposition. Thus, as can best be seen in FIGURE 1, the tie latch elementis moved along the track in whichever direction is necessary to causethe projecting end of the tie to enter one of the slots 38 with thebutton or head thereof 16 riding up on the corresponding inclined planarsurface 40 as indicated by dotted line position by hand, however, itmust usually be driven with a hammer to place these elements in therelative positions indicated by full lines. The inclined planes of thelatch, of course, act as wedges forcing the track tightly against theform wall and the latter against the form stop 20. The face of the tielatch element is preferably leveled off at 42 corresponding to theclosed end of the slot 38 so that the head of the tie will rest on thissurface and have no tendency to back out of the slot under load. In theform shown, the latch element is double-ended so that it will attach toa tie located on either side thereof; however, it would work just aswell in a single-ended form assuming the tie was positioned to enter theslot.

Certain other features are worthy of specific mention although they arenot absolutely necessary from the functional standpoint. Among these arethe bridge portions 44 located adjacent the extremities of the latchelements that bridge the two legs defined by each slot 38. These bridgeportions perform two principal functions, namely, providing a ruggedprojecting surface on both ends that can be struck with a hammer to lockand release the tie and, secondly, as a reinforcement for theextremities of the unit which will prevent the long and relativelyslender legs from breaking off.

Next with reference to FIGURES 6-, 7 and 8, a second embodiment of thetie end latch 24a has been illustrated with a slightly modified form oftrack 22m. First of all, however, the change in the form wall assemblythat necessitate this modified latch should be briefly described. Theform panel 10m is substantially the same except for the fact that theapertures 14m are customarily elongate slots to accept the looped ends16m: of a looped wire tie 12m rather than round to receive the buttontype head as before. Also, the loop 16m. does not project all the waythrough the track as was the case with the button tie 4 thusnecessitating the use of a latch that will engage inside the slot 32.

The track 22m is different than the one previously described and whichwas disclosed in my previous application in that the channels 28 arereversed to place them in fiange-to-flange rather than web-to-webrelation. Thus, with the flanges 30a and 30b turned inwardly toward oneanother, the area 32m in which the latch elements 24a ride isconsiderably wider. As before, flanges 30a rest against the form panels10m while the remaining flanges 30b constitute the rails along which thelatch elements slide.

The channels are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to pass the loopedend 16m of the ties into the space 32m therebetween; however, asaforementioned, these loops terminate inside the track rather thanprojecting all the way through. The plane of the loops is normal to thedirection of travel of the latch elements for obvious reasons.

The latch element 24a includes a central block portion 46 that has apair of cars 48 projecting from both the upper and lower faces thereofthat are spaced apart the distance necessary to receive the inturnedflanges 30b therebetween for free sliding movement as best shown inFIGURE 8. These ears are located intermediate the inner and outer facesof the block portion 46 so as to leave a projection 50 exposed that canbe struck with a hammer to lock and release the latch element.

In the particular form shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, the latch element isof the double-ended type having blade-like portions 52 projectinglaterally from the inner extremity of the block portion in oppositedirections. The free ends of each of these blades are tapered slightlyas indicated at 54' so that they will enter the loop readily and cam theform tie stop 20 up tightly against the inside of the form panel with awedge-like action as before. While only the edge facing the cars 48 needbe inclined to accomplish the foregoing, it is preferable to incline theinside edge also so that it will not hang up in the tie slots 14m of theform panel when the latch is moved over the surface thereof. The upperand lower surfaces of the blade are, likewise, inclined to produce ablunted point which will easily enter the tie loop.

Once again, the double-ended configuration enables the end-latch elementto lock into a tie located on either side thereof.

Next, with brief reference to FIGURE 9, it will be seen that anothermodification of the lop-tie end latch 24b has been illustrated whichdiffers from that just described in only one respect, namely, it isadapted for use with the web-to-we'b track 22 rather than theflange-to-flange track 22m. Accordingly, the only change is tosubstitute for the cars 48, a pair of generally J-shaped hook-formingelements 58 that hook over the edges of the outturned rail-formingflanges 30b. All other elements of latch 24!) remain the same as latch24a of FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 which has already been described in detail.

Finally, in connection with FIGURES 10 and 11, a further modification24c has been illustrated that is almost identical with latch element 24aexcept that it is of the single-ended type. Instead of the ears 48aprojecting from the sides of the block portion 46a as before, this blockis widened out and the ears are formed by merely slotting the upper andlower faces of the block as at 60. Functionally, of course, the resultsare the same and the two block structures 46 and 46a are equivalent toone another. This slight change in design also widens out projection 50agiving a larger surface to hit with a hammer.

Now, latch element 24c will work with the flange-tofiange track 22m ofFIGURES 6 and 8 or it can be used with .still another track design 22nthat is shown in FIG- URE l1 and which substitutes Z-bars 62 for thechannels 28. In this modification, the flanges 30a that bear against theform panel face outwardly, whereas, flanges 3% turn in. Obviously, thelatch element 24a of FIG- URES 6, 7 and 8 could be used with the Z-bartrack 22n of FIGURE 11.

By now it should be obvious that minor changes in design well within theskill of the art can adapt any of the latch elements 24, 24a, 24b or 240for use with any of the tracks 22, 22m or 22m. Furthermore, it is even asimpler matter to adapt the latch elements to either singleended ordouble-ended use.

Accordingly, having thus described the several useful and novel featuresof the tie end latch and track assemblies of the present invention, itwill be obvious that the many worthwhile objectives for which they weredeveloped have been achieved. Although but a few specific forms of theinvention have been specifically illustrated and described herein, Irealize that certain changes and modifications therein may well occur tothose skilled in the art within the broad concepts hereof; hence, it ismy intention that the scope of protection afforded hereby shall belimited only insofar as said limitations are expressly set forth in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1 In a concrete wall-forming system of the type having a pair of formwalls interconnected by a plurality of ties projecting therethrough andadapted to maintain a fixed spaced relation therebetween, the improvedmeans for reinforcing said form walls while simultaneously releasablysecuring same to the tie ends which comprises: an elongate combinationform wall brace and tie end latc track having central longitudinal slotsized to receive the projecting form tie ends, an inner pair of coplanarflanges adapted to engage the exterior face of the adjacent form wall onboth sides of the tie row, and an outer pair of coplanar flangesparallel to the inner pair thereof and spaced outwardly therefromdefining rails; and, at least one latch element mounted on each trackelement for slidable movement from end-to-end thereof; said latchelement including slotted projections positioned and adapted to receivethe rail-forming flanges of the track, at least one wedge-formingportion formed on said latch element extending in the direction of theslot in the track and adapted upon relative slidable movement to engageone of the form tie ends located therein, said wedge-forming portionincluding an inclined surface operative upon engagement with the tie endto draw the track up tight against the form wall, and a tool-engagingportion formed on said latch element projecting beyond the tracl inposition to be struck with a tool in the directions to engage ordisengage a tie end wherein the wedge-forming portion of the latchelement comprises a tapered finger located within the slot in the trackand extending in the direction of the length thereof, said finger beingadapted to enter the loop in a loop-ended form tie extending into theslot in the track, the inclined surface of said wedge-forming fingerbeing operative upon movement along the track to draw the tie outwardly.

2. In a concrete wallforming system of the type having a pair of formwalls interconnected by a plurality of ties projecting therethrough andadapted to maintain a fixed spaced relation therebetween, the improvedmeans for reinforcing said form walls while simultaneously releasablysecuring same to the tie ends which comprises: an elongate combinationform wall brace and tie end latch track having central longitudinal slotsized to receive the projecting form tie ends, an inner pair of coplanarflanges adapted to engage the exterior face of the adjacent form wall onboth sides of the tie row, and an outer pair of coplanar flangesparallel to the inner pair thereof and spaced outwardly therefromdefining rails; and, at least one latch element mounted on each trackelement for slidable movement from end-to-end thereof; said latchelement including slotted projections positioned and adapted to receivethe rail-forming flanges of the track, at least one wedge-formingportion formed on said latch element extending in the direction of theslot in the track and adapted upon relative slidable movement to engageone of the form tie ends located therein, said wedge-forming portionincluding an inclined surface operative upon engagement with the tie endto draw the track up tight against the form wall, and a tool-engagingportion formed on said latch element projecting beyond the track inposition to be struck with a tool in the directions to engage ordisengage a tie end wherein the track comprises a pair of identicalchannel irons fastened together in fixed spaced parallel relation withthe flanged edges thereof turned inwardly and wherein the latch elementincludes outwardly opening slots adapted to receive one pair of theinturned flanges for slidable movement therein, and in which thewedge-forming portion of the latch element comprises a tapered fingerlocated within the slot in the track and extending in the direction ofthe length thereof, said finger being adapted to enter the loop in aloop-ended form tie extending into the slot in the track, the inclinedsurface of said wedgeforming finger being operative =upon movement alongthe track to draw the tie outwardly.

3. in a concrete wall-forming system of the type having a pair of formwalls interconnected by a plurality of ties projecting therethrough andadapted to maintain a fixed spaced relation therebetween, the improvedmeans for reinf-orcing said form walls while simultaneously releasablysecuring same to the tie ends which comprises: an elongate combinationform wall brace and tie end latch track having central longitudinal slotsized to receive the projecting form tie ends, an inner pair of coplanarflanges adapted to engage the exterior face of the adjacent form wall onboth sides of the tie row, and an outer pair of coplanar flangesparallel to the inner pair thereof and spaced outwardly therefromdefining rails; and, at least one latch element mounted on each trackelement for slidable movement from end-to-end thereof; said latchelement including slotted projections positioned and adapted to receivethe rail-forming flanges of the track, at least one wedgeforming portionformed on said latch element extending in the direction of the slot inthe track and adapted upon relative slidable movement to engage one ofthe form tie ends located therein, said wedge-forming portion includingan inclined surface operative upon engagement with the tie end to drawthe track up tight against the form wall, and a tool-engaging portionformed on said latch element projecting beyond the track in position tobe struck with a tool in the directions to engage or disengage a tie endwherein the track comprises a pair of identical channel irons fastenedtogether in fixed spaced parallel relation with the flanged edgesthereof turned outwardly and wherein the latch element includeshook-forming portions defining inwardly opening slots adapted to receiveone pair of outturned flanges of the track for slidable movement, and inwhich the wedge-forming portion of the latch element has the inclinedface thereof slotted to register with the slot in the track, the slot insaid inclined face being adapted to pass the shank of a buttontype formtie While engaging the head thereof and in which the wedge-formingportion of the latch element comprises a tapered finger located withinthe slot in the track and extending in the direction of the lengththereof, said finger being adapted to enter the loop in a loop-endedform tie extending into the slot in the track, the inclined surface ofsaid wedge-forming finger being operative upon movement along the trackto draw the tie outwardly.

4. In a concrete wall-forming system of the type having a pair of formWalls interconnected by a plurality of ties projecting therethrough andadapted to maintain a fixed spaced relation therebetween, the improvedmeans for reinforcing said form walls while simultaneously releasablysecuring same to the tie ends which comprises: an elongate combinationform wall brace and tie end latch track having central longitudinal slotsized to re ceive the projecting form tie ends, an inner pair ofcoplanar flanges, adapted to engage the exterior face of the adjacentform wall on both sides of the tie row, and an outer pair of coplanarflanges parallel to the inner pair thereof and spaced outwardlytherefrom defining rails; and, at least one latch element mounted oneach track element for slidable movement from end-to-end thereof; saidlatch element including slotted projections positioned and adapted toreceive the rail-forming flanges of the track, at least onewedge-forming portion formed on said latch element extending in thedirection of the slot in the track and adapted upon relative slidablemovement to engage one of the form tie ends located therein, saidwedge-forming portion including an inclined surface operative uponengagement with the tie end to draw the track up tight against the formwall, and a tool-engaging portion formed on said latch elementprojecting beyond the track in position to be struck with a tool in thedirections to engage or disengage a tie end wherein the track comprisesa pair of elements having a central web with parallel flanges dependingfrom each margin thereof extending in opposite directions to produce agenerally Z- shaped cross-section, said elements having their webportions interconnected in fixed spaced parallel relation with theflanges on one face turned outwardly while the other pair is turnedinwardly defining a slot between their adjacent free edges and whereinthe latch element includes outwardly opening slots adapted to receivethe pair of the inturned flanges for slidable movement therein, and inwhich the wedge-forming portion of the latch element comprises a taperedfinger located within the slot in the track and extending in thedirection of the length thereof, said finger being adapted to enter theloop in a loop-ended form tie extending into the slot in the track, theinclined surface of said wedge-forming finger being operative uponmovement along the track to draw the tie outwardly and whichwedge-forming portion of the latch element comprises a tapered fingerlocated within the slot in the track and extending in the direction ofthe length thereof, said finger being adapted to enter the loop in aloop-ended form tie extending into the slot in the track, the inclinedsurface of said wedge-forming finger being operative upon movement alongthe track to draw the tie outwardly.

5. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 in which the tapered fingerincludes a surface normal to the plane of the form tie loop separatingthe inclined surface from the portion of said latch element connected tothe track, said normal surface providing means adapted to preventaccidental disengagement of the form tie loop when said finger is fullyinserted therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,442,292 5/1948Hart 25l3l 2,620,542 12/1952 Fontaine 25-131 2,631,352 3/1953 Williams25-131 2,904,870 9/1959 I-Iillberg.

2,967,689 1/1961 Iahn 2513l 3,030,059 4/1962 Jahn 25--13l 3,141,2247/1964 Gates.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON,

Examiners.

G. A. KAP, R. W. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiners.

1. IN A CONCRETE WALL-FORMING SYSTEM OF THE TYPE HAVING A PAIR OF FORMWALLS INTERCONNECTED BY A PLURALITY OF TIES PROJECTING THERETHROUGH ANDADAPTED TO MAINTAIN A FIXED SPACED RELATION THEREBETWEEN, THE IMPROVEDMEANS FOR REINFORCING SAID FORM WALLS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY RELEASABLYSECURING SAME TO THE TIE ENDS WHICH COMPRISES: AN ELONGATE COMBINATIONFORM WALL BRACE AND TIE END LATCH TRACK HAVING CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL SLOTSIZED TO RECEIVE THE PROJECTING FORM TIE ENDS, AN INNER PAIR OF COPLANARFLANGES ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE EXTERIOR FACE OF THE ADJACENT FORM WALL ONBOTH SIDES OF THE TIE ROW, AND AN OUTER PAIR OF COPLANAR FLANGESPARALLEL TO THE INNER PAIR THEREOF AND SPACED OUTWARDLY THEREFROMDEFINING RAILS; AND, AT LEAST ONE LATCH ELEMENT MOUNTED ON EACH TRACKELEMENT FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT FROM END-TO-END THEREOF; SAID LATCHELEMENT INCLUDING SLOTTED PROJECTIONS POSITIONED AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVETHE RAIL-FORMING FLANGES OF THE TRACK, AT LEAST ONE WEDGE-FORMINGPORTION FORMED ON SAID LATCH ELEMENT EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF THESLOT IN THE TRACK AND ADAPTED UPON RELATIVE SLIDABLE MOVEMENT TO ENGAGEONE OF THE FORM TIE ENDS LOCATED THEREIN, SAID WEDGE-FORMING PORTIONINCLUDING AN INCLINED SURFACE OPERATIVE UPON ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TIE ENDTO DRAW THE TRACK UP TIGHT AGAINST THE FORM WALL, AND A TOOL-ENGAGINGPORTION FORMED ON SAID LATCH ELEMENT PROJECTING BEYOND THE TRACK INPOSITION TO BE STRUCK WITH A TOOL IN THE DIRECTIONS TO ENGAGE ORDISENGAGE A TIE END WHEREIN THE WEDGE-FORMING PORTION OF THE LATCHELEMENT COMPRISES A TAPERED FINGER LOCATED WITHIN THE SLOT IN THE TRACKAND EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID FINGER BEINGADAPTED TO ENTER THE LOOP IN A LOOP-ENDED FORM TIE EXTENDING INTO THESLOT IN THE TRACK, THE INCLINED SURFACE OF SAID WEDGE-FORMING FINGERBEING OPERATIVE UPON MOVEMENT ALONG THE TRACK TO DRAW THE TIE OUTWARDLY.